Wow its been a while...

I was checking out my blog and others today, and realized its been almost 2 months since I've posted anything. Its been a busy month with Parker being home for the summer I am trying to keep the kids busy so they aren't at each other constantly, although it hasn't helped much. It does seem like we've been going and going though.
We went on a mini vacation last week to The Great Wolf Lodge it was a lot of fun for us all. I would recommend it to any family or couple. Its pretty much an all inclusive hotel there is plenty to do for a 3-4 day stay without ever leaving. We went to the one in Traverse City, MI and even though it was a 4.5 hour drive the kids were asking to go back the next day. There wasn't much complaining the whole trip we even took an extra kid (my lil' sis) for an extra pair of hands and to give her something fun to do over her summer vacation. So I can honestly say at least from ages 1-29 everyone can enjoy this place.
We have a couple birthdays coming up next month that we will celebrate. We kick off the month with my niece, then my nephew, then my brother-in-law, then my hubby, and then Caedy to end out the month. July is a busy birthday month for us luckily I only have to plan something for 2 of the birthdays. Caedence has decided she would like a Curious George birthday party this year, and Nate will celebrate his 30th so I am sure we'll do something special. So far we've planned for a baby-sitter so Mommy and Daddy can take boat ride, and lunch or dinner together. Nate will be taking a few days off the week of his birthday so I'm thinking maybe we can get a special trip in or something fun.
Other then that we are just enjoying summer, and trying to let the kids do some fun things. Parker just finished up t-ball and is half way through golf for the summer with his 1st tournament this Wednesday at 7:45 in the am.... ugh, thankfully I don't have to take him. Basketball camp starts soon and then soccer camp which both Parker and Hannah will be attending this year.
Oh I almost forgot... we moved Max into Parker's room yesterday. I think Nate and I were both more than ready, but I didn't feel it was fair for Parker during school as Max still wakes up and fusses quite a bit when he can't find his pacifier in the night, but since there isn't much to get up for these days I thought it would be ok. Last night went alright Max woke up 3 times, but it didn't seem to bother Parker a bit. Yeah, we finally have our room back! I'm thrilled.

A special shout out to my girls Michelle, Dana and Rachelle... today is Dana and Michelle's birthday, wooohooo, and Rachelle is giving birth to her baby girl today.
Happy Birthday to you all! I wish you a great day.

The sweetest kind of love

"If only I had my camera." I don't know how many times a week I say that, and last night was one of those moments. Once again Hannah was being punished for talking back and not listening, and so I made her stand with her nose to the wall. After what seemed like forever of her of crying I look over (she's still crying....loudly) Max has his hands wrapped around her waist and is laying his head on her back... after a few minutes of that he starts rubbing her back from butt all the way up to as far as he could reach on her head. It was so sweet... he really adores her, and she is good with him... I just wish she was as good with me. Maybe I should teach him to discipline her... she might listen to him.

A year gone by all too fast.

This last year has flown by unlike the last week I've had so many things to prepare for, but now that I've finally got a moment to sit and reflect on all that has changed I can't believe my eyes. On Saturday we celebrated Max's 1st birthday...wow! I can't believe he is one already. Not only is he one, but he has been walking for over 2 months and getting into everything of course. He's saying a couple words, and of course never fail wasn't feeling the greatest on his birthday because he is teething again. On Sunday we celebrated Easter, Max's second, but this year it came one day after his birthday rather then 3 weeks. I've posted pictures of last year and this year just to be able to compare and see how much has changed. All in all we've had an exhausting year of events, but most of them seem like yesterday. One other thing we had this weekend was a milestone. Its the first time in 5 years I haven't been pregnant at my child's 1st birthday party, and the longest time in the last 5 years that I've gone without being pregnant! I'm looking forward to spending this next year with Max seeing some of the things I missed with the others due to pregnancy, and being able to get out this summer for the first time in a long time without being nauseated or enormous!

Easter 08'

Easter 07'

The Birthday Boy!

Am I turning into my Mother?

Here is a conversation that I had with my oldest son tonight. He took some gum from my purse and when I asked who had the gum he didn't reply, and the girls told me they didn't have any. Later he finally confessed he has taken the gum...
Parker: Ok, Mom I do have gum
Me: Yes Parker, I know
Parker: How did you know?
Me: Because I know everything
Parker: no you don't
Me: Yes I do
Parker: No Mommy no one knows everything
Me: I do
Parker: there is only one person who knows everything
Me: who's that?
Parker: God
Me: Well, who do you think made Mommy?
Parker: God.
Me: well then don't you think if he knows everything and he made me that I know everything
Parker: no, you only know some things
Me: nope I know everything like when you take gum and don't tell me... I always know...
Parker: Oh....(silence)...well you still don't know everything.
Me: Yes I do and someday when you get older you'll know that I know everything!
Yes, folks this is when I could hear it loud and clear... MY MOTHER... she jumped into my body and her words came right out of my mouth...

You can run, but you can't hide!

Well its finally made its way to our house...I thought we might have been able to steer clear of it this year, but no it found us like a cowering animal hiding from its predator in the middle of the night...except it came in the middle of the day. The day that I agreed to have family from out of town come, and stay the night, the day I agreed to watch 6 children under 6 by myself, and the weekend that I agreed to host a Stamping party. If found us, rather it found my 11 month old, and then my 4 year old, and we wonder who might be next. It really doesn't matter now though because its here and its here to stay... at least for the week, hopefully not longer because it is not a welcome house guest. Not here, not anywhere. What I can't figure out is how does it find an 11 month old who spends most of his time in the house hidden, as oppose to the other people that freely leave the house daily who it hasn't seem to bother yet? I'll tell you what next year I am making sure we are well hidden and it WILL NOT find us. What is it you are asking if you haven't guessed yet. The nasty, no good, rotten, yucky, icky, unwelcome FLU!!!

You can't win...

So its been about a month since I started exercising. I've wanted to lose weight since baby#1, but of course my mind set was if I am going to have more children and close together, why bother I'm just going to gain it back anyhow. So its been 10 months since my last child and its the new year what better time to get started. My in-laws brought over an exercise machine that they weren't using for me month ago, and for a month strait my husband has been making fun of me. You'd think he'd be happy for me, and him that I want to look good, but nooo... it started the night the machine came into the house and I had them set it up in the living room. They all teased because Nate said he would be taking it down in a week and putting it in our basement (where it came from at my father-in-laws). So now instead of saying wow I was wrong its been a whole month I get made fun of because I gained 4 lbs on it, which he lovingly made into 8lbs, but in my defense I also weighed myself right before my monthly friend and after a night out to dinner so I am not sure how accurate that was and then he had the nerve to say because the next time I weighed myself and I lost the 8lbs 4lbs, "you're right back where you started so what's the point"!! WHATS THE POINT??? YOU ASK!! Well the point is to lose weight, feel better, look good for you and for me and BECAUSE I WANT TO!! Is that enough I mean seriously what happened to standing behind someone, and supporting them? Is that to much to ask? I guess so!! Well anyhow I will keep exercising, but not in spite of him because I want to and when I do look and feel better I'll get to say "no thanks to you, buddy!" No I won't really, but a little senserity would be nice and some respect and encouragement without the hehehe as I turn to walk away.

UPDATES

So far 2008 has brought a whole lot with it. Maxwell has been working hard at learning to walk he has taken a couple steps in a row and will stand up from the floor by himself. I don't think this is intentional however, but he is determined to out do those sisters and brother and walk before the usual 13 months of age. He also has six teeth, and boy he knows how to use them...currently he is trying to bite my toes as I type. He has also slept a little more about the last 5 nights only getting up 1 or 2 times before midnight and then sleeping until 5:30-6ish, and I have been sleeping at least that much too. I normal continue to get up at the times the kids get up once they start sleeping more, but not this time I slept strait last night from 12:30 to 5:50. Max has also learned to play peek-a-boo and talk on the phone...everything is a phone and I believe he is trying to say hello. He makes the same caveman sound as hello when he picks up an object and puts it to his ear its so cute. He also cries mamamamamamamamama when he wants me, but I don't know if that is intentional either. I think they might be just noises of madness.
I'm ready to open windows and get out of the house in some warm sunshine. We have taken random kids to the doctor on Dec. 16th, 24th, 31st and now I've still got 3 hackers and snotty noses.They are also very ready to get outside, and have been keeping me on my toes cleaning up after all the new things Santa brought. Thank goodness he brought a few new movies for quite times too!
So ABOUT the rest of the kids.. My first born baby is turning 6 next Monday. I can't believe 6 years has gone by so fast when the last 6 months seems to be taking a lifetime. He is really excited for another birthday and this will be his first birthday party with friends from school. We are taking 8, 5 and 6 year olds bowling on Sunday for an hour and a half and then having family over later for cake and ice cream... which reminds me I need to go get that taken care of its Tuesday already?
The girls are sure taking after each other. Hannah is teaching my impressionable 2 year old everything she knows about being sneaky and getting into things. She has been a big help though since Max has been born and Parker has gone to school she is assuming the big sister role nicely although still acting as the middle child a lot too.
Caedy is getting big she is saying new phrases everyday. Her favorites are very matter-of-fact statements with big words like actually, yesterday, and anything we repeat that sounds interesting.
As for the hubby he is "working hard for the money"! Hasn't bothered me much that he is gone long hours I'd just really like to be closer to him so when he can get away it doesn't take him as long to get here and I don't worry about him driving being so worn out. Plus a little more room for the kids wouldn't upset me at all!
I've planned a little rejuvenating get-a-way for us for Valentines day with no kids. I think it'll be fun, he's not so sure, but my goal is to change his mind by the time the trip has ended! I'll blog all about it when we get back.

Peek-a-boo

Parker got to take a trip w/ Grandpa and Grandma to toys-r-us and spend his gift card.

This is my baby sister w/ Caedence ... they are both growing up fast!

I will not...

Well Jan. 15th and I'm finally getting back around to writing down my resolutions. So here it is I resolve not to focus on my weight... I want to lose it, but I do not want to make it my soul purpose of 2008. I've been exercising on one of those Tony Little Gazelle's I didn't weigh myself immediately prior and I haven't since I started so I don't know if its working, but I have managed to do it every night since I got it that's 5 night and it was even over the weekend. I got up to 30 minutes last night and let me tell ya 5 night in a row is more then I've ever exercised consecutively in my life at least on purpose. I just pray (seriously) that I see a difference. I've changed my eating habits some. I eat smaller portions and I haven't had a second helping of dinner in at least a week, which is good for me I must say. I've also only had about a 3rd of my usual serving of ice cream at night. So I have resolved to not make it my soul purpose in 2008 to lose weight, but I guess you could say I have resolved to make a life style change in hopes that it helps me feel better. Once spring starts I plan to get out a lot more with the kids and make sure that we go outside at least once a day provided our wonderful Indiana weather allows. Now onto the updates...

Happy New Year!

I resolve to write about my resolutions at a later date. Not much new to tell right now. We made it through Christmas and the kids got waaay too much as usual and now its 2008! I can't believe it. I also can't believe that we were all so worried about going from 1999 to 2000 and its 8 years later. I can't believe I am married with 4 kids and I can't believe that I am not in bed right now. So like I said more on all that to come!

The Company Christmas Party

We went to Nate's first company Christmas party on Saturday... it was interesting to say the least. I am not sure what I expected, but we had a good time being together without the kids. Nate's mom watched them for us and took some pictures while we were gone. Of course Max got sick or started to show signs of being sick while we were gone and we got a big snow storm. Here are a few pictures from the weekend...

Nate and I before the party

The kids

Sick Maxwell w/ sissy

Nate getting ready to shovel some snow

I'm MAD at you!

The other night oh... about the middle of last week, it had been a very long day and my husband had already worked 3 very long days and wasn't home yet so needless to say I had about half a nerve left and all 4 kids were on it. I was screaming and yelling because Caedy had pinched her finger very badly it was bleeding all over, Max was screaming because he was tired and hungry, and no one could seem to help me get anything for Caedence's finger. So finally Parker was looking for something and not going at the pace I felt needed in the heat of it all, and I yelled at him to get out of the way, he got mad and went to his room. EVENTUALLY I got Caedy quite enough to be able to get Max a bottle, take off my pants,(somewhere in there Caedy had wet her diaper for the last time and while sitting my lap it had soaked through her clothes and mine), sat down to feed him, of course the door bell rang (me w/ no pants and a baby in hand sleeping) I had the kids peek out to see who it was and luckily it was just the neighbor bringing back a borrowed tool. After all the excitement was over and things were calm... my five year old comes out of his room looking like this....

He told me he was mad at me for yelling at him! I hope this isn't how he views me (especially the mustache part)! Thank goodness for comic relief!